A man has been shot in the leg during an attack by four masked men in Ballymoney in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

It happened shortly after midnight on Carnany Drive in the town.

Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Brennan said: “The man, aged in his 20s, reported that men armed with weapons including a gun forced their way into his home, before shooting him in the upper leg.

“The victim also sustained injuries to his head, face and chest. Colleagues from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service took him to hospital for treatment, where he remains in a stable condition at this time.”

Detective Chief Inspector Brennan continued: “Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence and this brutal attack is a clear violation of the victim’s human rights.

“There is no justification for this. Those responsible are not defenders of their communities – they are criminals who prey on vulnerable people and have no place in a civilised society.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information, including dash-cam or other footage, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 9 of 23/07/24.”